Durham reopens two outdoor pools for summer swimming

All of Durham's pools were shuttered last summer because of the pandemic, but the city's parks and recreation department shared some good news Monday: Two pools are ready for swimmers this summer.

Posted 5:57 p.m. Jun 14, 2021 — Updated 11:44 p.m. Jun 14, 2021

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

, Go Ask Mom editor

DURHAM, N.C. — All of Durham's pools were shuttered last summer because of the pandemic, but the city's parks and recreation department shared some good news Monday: Two outdoor pools are now ready for swimmers this summer.

Long Meadow Pool and Forest Hills Pool both are open. The outdoor pools are available for recreational swim times. In other words, these are the pools to take your kids to to play Marco Polo and splash around. Kids and teens age 0 to 18 who are Durham residents swim for free.

The city's indoor pools, Campus Hills Pool and Edison Johnson Aquatics Center, are available for lap swimming.

Durham's third outdoor pool, Hillside Pool, should reopen once repairs are made.

Like other public pools across the region, there are some safety measures for swimmers at Durham's pools. Here are the guidelines, according to a press release:

Families and individuals will be encouraged to maintain social distance from other swimmers from different households.
While outdoor mask use is no longer required, it is still recommended when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Guests will be required to wear masks when using the indoor facilities as masks are still required when inside city facilities.
Employees will wear masks when six feet social distance cannot be consistently maintained from non-household members and in the bathhouse or indoor facilities.
Staff will be adhering to recommended cleaning and sanitization guidelines.

Forest Hills and Long Meadow pools will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. Lifeguard staffing shortages have been a challenge for scheduling this summer, according to the city. Outdoor pool entry is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis. Swimmers do not need to sign up in advance. Kids who are at least 13 can visit on their own, but they must have accurate information in the city's registration system to be checked in.

Admission is between $2 and $8, depending on the age of the swimmer and whether they are a city resident. But, remember, kids 18 and under who live in Durham are free.

Forest Hills is at 1639 University Dr. Long Meadow is at 917 Liberty St. More information about the pools is on Durham's website.

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